Article XV
Christ alone without sin
Jesus is our spotless Saviour; believers still need mercy.
The Article
OF CHRIST ALONE WITHOUT SIN
CHRIST in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things, sin only except, from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in his spirit. He came to be the Lamb without spot, who, by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world, and sin, as Saint John saith, was not in him. But all we the rest, although baptized, and born again in Christ, yet offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
In modern English
Christ became truly human and was like us in every respect except sin. He was entirely free from sin in both body and spirit. He came as the spotless Lamb who, by offering himself once, takes away the sins of the world. As John says, there was no sin in him. All the rest of us, even though baptised and born again in Christ, still sin in many ways. If we claim to have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Scripture readings
- Hebrews 4:14–16
- 1 Peter 2:21–24
- 1 John 1:8–2:2
Understand the teaching
The holiness of our Saviour
Article XV places two truths beside each other: Jesus is entirely without sin, and the rest of us continue to need forgiveness. Together they give the church a realistic account of salvation and discipleship. We have a Saviour able to rescue us because his life is wholly faithful. We also have continuing reason for confession because baptism and new birth do not immediately remove every trace of sin. Christian maturity therefore includes growing honesty about weakness alongside growing confidence in Christ.
The opening phrase stresses the truth of Christ's humanity. Jesus shares our human nature rather than merely appearing human. Earlier Articles have affirmed his incarnation; here the emphasis falls on the purity of his human life. Sin is excluded from his flesh and spirit. His outward behaviour and inward desires belong together in perfect faithfulness to the Father. This matters because salvation requires more than a teacher who gives good advice while needing the same rescue as everyone else.
Sinlessness and genuine temptation
Hebrews 4:14–16 joins Christ's sinlessness with his ability to sympathise with our weakness. He has encountered temptation within a genuinely human life. Hunger, suffering, rejection and the cost of obedience were real for him. The temptation narratives in Matthew 4 and Luke 4 show pressure to misuse his calling and turn away from trust in the Father. His obedience emerges within those conditions. We should avoid describing him as if his humanity made every difficult moment an effortless performance.
Christians have debated the precise relationship between his divine identity and the possibility of sinning. Article XV states the essential confession without settling every philosophical question: Jesus actually remained without sin. Temptation itself is therefore distinguishable from consenting to evil. A disturbing thought or an unwanted impulse does not automatically mean someone has deliberately embraced it. This distinction can help sensitive consciences, while still recognising that our disordered desires may also need the Spirit's healing and discipline.
The unblemished sacrifice
The Article calls Jesus the Lamb without spot and connects his sinlessness with his sacrifice. In the biblical sacrificial background, the integrity of the offering matters. First Peter 1:18–19 draws on the image of an unblemished lamb to describe Christ's precious blood. John 1:29 identifies him with the removal of sin. These passages direct attention towards his unique fitness to act for sinners. He has no guilt of his own that would require another sacrifice before he could represent us.
Hebrews 7:26–28 develops this contrast through priesthood. Jesus is holy and undefiled, and his self-offering possesses decisive sufficiency. The Article's phrase about a sacrifice once made anticipates the fuller statement of Article XXXI. His death belongs to a complete saving achievement. Repeated Christian confession does not imply repeated atonement. We return to the same sufficient Saviour, receiving the benefits of the work he has accomplished through his death and resurrection.
Why Christians still confess
The second half of the Article applies 1 John 1:8–10 to believers. Denying our sin involves self-deception and resistance to the truth. Baptism and regeneration establish no exemption from this warning. First John also calls Christians towards obedience and provides assurance of Christ's advocacy when they sin in 2:1–2. The letter holds moral seriousness and confidence in mercy together. Confession belongs to life in the light because truthfulness about failure opens us to God's cleansing and renewed obedience.
This teaching challenges claims of complete sinlessness within earthly Christian life. It should never become an excuse for resignation. The Spirit genuinely changes people, and persistent patterns can be confronted and weakened. Yet progress does not eliminate our dependence on grace. We may recognise deeper motives as outward conduct improves. A mature believer often becomes more aware of pride or self-interest precisely because the light of Christ reaches further into their life. Such awareness should lead towards repentance rather than hopelessness.
Honest churches and accountable leaders
Imagine a admired minister whose congregation finds it difficult to question them. Their gifts, sacrifices and spiritual confidence have created an atmosphere in which challenge feels disloyal. Article XV supplies a basic correction: every minister belongs among those who still offend in many things. Accountability is therefore part of faithful leadership. Clear safeguarding, financial oversight, honest feedback and appropriate external challenge express theological realism. They help protect people and create conditions in which repentance can happen before concealed harm grows.
Apply the same principle personally by practising specific confession. Name the actual failure without disguising it as a vague imperfection, seek forgiveness, and make appropriate repair. Then look to Jesus, whose sinlessness supports your confidence rather than creating distance from you. He knows weakness without sharing our guilt, and he invites his people to approach for mercy and help. A church shaped by this Article can pursue holiness with seriousness, humility and hope, while giving Christ alone the honour of perfect faithfulness.
Bring it into everyday life
- What makes honest confession easier or harder in your Christian community?